Ever since I was a little girl, I have felt a strong pull to stand up for people who can’t always stand up for themselves. That instinct only grew stronger over the years, especially during the afternoons I spent watching Law & Order: SVU with my Mima after school. Those moments, along with witnessing real injustices in my own community as I got older, helped shape what started as a feeling into a clear and passionate goal. Which is to become a criminal defense attorney. Justice, to me, isn’t just an ideal; it’s something real that people deserve access to. I have always believed that everyone deserves a fair chance, and I want to be on the front lines as someone who does everything to make that happen. I want to be in the courtroom, doing the work, making sure no one is silenced or forgotten. Earning my Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice, along with a certificate in Victim Advocacy, was not just a milestone but a launchpad for everything I hope to achieve in the future. I see it as the solid foundation for a career rooted in justice, advocacy, and meaningful change. During my undergraduate years, one of the most formative and intellectually demanding experiences was completing my honors thesis, titled Perceptions and Prejudices: The Impact of Societal Views on Minority Populations and Their Relations with Law Enforcement. This project was an opportunity for me to explore how deeply embedded societal biases can influence public perceptions of law enforcement, and how those perceptions in turn affect trust, cooperation, and safety within minority communities. I developed a comprehensive survey instrument to collect original data from a diverse participant pool. My goal was to measure attitudes, perceptions of fairness, personal experiences, and levels of trust in law enforcement among individuals from different racial and ethnic backgrounds. I designed the questions carefully to ensure they were both respectful and effective in capturing nuanced perspectives. Once I gathered the responses, I used both qualitative and quantitative analysis methods to interpret the data, looking for patterns, correlations, and significant differences across demographic groups. This process taught me how to think critically about research design, data validity, and the ethical responsibilities that come with studying sensitive and potentially emotional topics. More than anything, the thesis solidified my ability to manage a complex, long-term academic project from start to finish. It required a ton of planning, discipline, time management, and the ability to synthesize broad and often conflicting viewpoints into a meaningful and academically rigorous piece of work. It ended up deepening my interest in the real-world consequences of public policy and policing practices on marginalized populations, reinforcing my commitment to pursuing a legal career where I can advocate for those whose voices often go unheard. I am now about to begin my Master of Science in Criminal Justice at the University of Central Florida so that I can gain deeper knowledge and better preparation before taking the next step in my journey. I see this program as a crucial bridge between my undergraduate education and my future legal studies, giving me the opportunity to explore the criminal justice system more thoroughly, from the creation of policies to how they are implemented in real-life situations. My future plans include attending law school and ultimately becoming a criminal defense attorney who works directly with underserved and marginalized communities. I want to challenge the injustices I’ve witnessed, advocate for fair and equal treatment, and use the law as a powerful tool to uplift and empower those who have been silenced or forgotten by the system. Receiving this scholarship would not only help bring me closer to achieving these goals, but it would also serve as a meaningful affirmation that others believe in this mission and the impact I hope to make. It would provide tangible aid as I navigate the demanding path ahead, and it would inspire me to continue striving toward excellence in both my studies and my future career. I am deeply motivated, ready to work hard, and fully committed to making a lasting, positive impact in the legal field. This scholarship would significantly support my journey, both academically and professionally, by easing the financial burdens that accompany higher education. As a student deeply committed to my goals, I want to be able to focus entirely on expanding my knowledge, strengthening my academic performance, and preparing for the next step: law school. Reducing financial stress would allow me to fully immerse myself in opportunities that will enrich my education, such as internships in the legal field, volunteer work with advocacy organizations, and more research projects that explore the complexities of the justice system. These experiences are not just résumé-builders to me but are critical steps in shaping the kind of attorney I hope to become: someone informed, compassionate, and capable of driving meaningful change. This scholarship would give me the flexibility to say yes to those opportunities without constantly worrying about how I’ll afford textbooks, tuition, or transportation. It would give me room to breathe, think, and grow in the ways that matter most: academically, professionally, and personally. Your support would allow me to be fully present in my education and take advantage of every chance to deepen my understanding of the law and how it can be used to serve others. I view this scholarship not just as financial assistance, but as an investment in my potential and in the future work I plan to do for individuals and communities. With your support, I’ll be empowered to continue pushing forward, focused, determined, and ready to take every step necessary to turn my vision for justice into a reality. Thank you for considering my application. I am truly excited about the future I am working toward. One where I can use my education and experiences to advocate for justice, support those who have been overlooked, and make meaningful contributions to the legal field. This scholarship represents more than just financial support; it symbolizes the belief that my goals are worth pursuing and that the work I want to do matters. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to continue this journey with your help, and I am committed to making the most of it, not just for myself, but for the communities I hope to serve.

Having a foreign-born parent has deeply influenced my academic experience and shaped my future aspirations. My mother, Karyss, who was born in Puerto Rico, instilled in me a profound appreciation for our culture and a determination to succeed, despite the challenges we’ve faced. Growing up, I witnessed the resilience of my family, especially through the stories of my grandparents, who overcame systemic and financial inequities to provide better opportunities for their children. Not to mention, my mother raised me as a single mom with my grandma by her side in any way she could. My mom left the beautiful island of Puerto Rico in her late 20's wanting to start a new life and career for herself. This legacy of perseverance has driven me to approach my academics with discipline and a sense of purpose, knowing that my success is part of a larger narrative of resilience and progress. While growing up, I have had to navigate predominantly white school environments in Florida as a bilingual Hispanic female. This has also highlighted the value of cultural identity and representation in my academic journey. I myself was not born on the island and yet, at times, I encountered prejudice and stereotypes. However, rather than discouraging me, these experiences reinforced my determination to excel and break barriers. They taught me the importance of advocacy, equity, and creating spaces where diversity is celebrated, not marginalized. This is where my dream of becoming a lawyer further blossomed. My mother once dreamed of going to law school herself, but financial limitations prevented her from pursuing that path. Her hard work and resilience have always inspired me, but my journey is not about living through her unfulfilled aspirations. Instead, I am pursuing my dream—a dream that aligns with my passion for justice and advocacy. While I carry her determination with me, my goal is to honor her endurances by creating opportunities for others, just as she has done for me, and to forge a path that reflects both my vision and the values she instilled in me. These lessons have directly influenced my academic and career goals. Inspired by my family's, but most importantly my mom's sacrifices, I am committed to pursuing a legal career that addresses systemic issues such as housing discrimination and educational inequities that disproportionately affect marginalized communities, including Puerto Ricans. My academic pursuits are driven by the desire to honor my heritage and create meaningful change, ensuring that future generations have the opportunities my family worked so hard to provide. In essence, having a foreign-born parent has not only shaped my academic experiences but has also ingrained in me the values of resilience, justice, and collective progress that I aim to carry forward into my future endeavors. It has made me who I am today, my mother's daughter.

In 2020, the world stopped. The pandemic brought life as we knew it to a standstill. But for me, it wasn’t until 2022 that my world truly stopped—when my Mima, my grandmother, passed away. Her loss hit harder than anything I had ever experienced as she lived with my mom and me during my whole life, and the grief weighed heavily on us both. Mima wasn’t just family; she was a compass, a guiding light who always pushed me to be better, think deeper, and dream bigger. Her strength, resilience, and unwavering commitment to justice were a constant reminder of the values I held close to me. Even as a child, I dreamt of becoming a lawyer. I grew up listening to stories about fairness and the fight for equality, often told by my grandmother, who had lived through injustices and challenges that I could scarcely imagine. Mima, along the side of my strong mother, inspired me to believe in the power of the law to shape a better future, to right wrongs, and to serve those who couldn’t fight for themselves. But when she passed, something shifted. I knew I wanted to pursue law, not just for me, but to carry forward the ideals she instilled in me: that the law can be a tool for change, that standing up for what is right matters, and that the best way to serve others is through compassion and dedication. While pursuing my degree in criminal justice, I did so with her always in my heart. Every class, every case study, and every discussion about justice and the law reminded me of her values and the principles my family instilled in me. My education became more than just an academic pursuit; it was a way to honor her legacy and deepen my understanding of the systems that can both protect and fail people. With every course, I reaffirmed my desire to use my future legal career to advocate for the vulnerable and to work towards a fairer, more just society. My journey to law school is not just about fulfilling a dream but about embracing a purpose. I want to be an advocate for those who cannot speak for themselves, to work within the system to create change, and to continue the fight that my grandmother believed in so deeply. Law school is the next step in that journey, and I am ready to take it, driven by the lessons my mom, and of course, my Mima taught me and the determination to make a difference.

Growing up as a proud member of the Puerto Rican community, I have learned that resilience and unity are not merely values but necessities for navigating a world that often underestimates us. My Puerto Rican heritage has been a cornerstone of my identity, I myself was not born on the island but my mom and my entire family were. They all are responsible for shaping my aspirations and instilling in me a deep sense of pride in our culture, history, and collective strength. Every year we make it a tradition to go and visit and it makes my love for the island and the Boricua community only grow. From a young age, I was taught the value of perseverance through the stories of my grandparents, who worked tirelessly to create opportunities for their children despite systemic or financial inequities. Their sacrifices have always been a source of inspiration, motivating and pushing me to pursue my dreams while uplifting others in the process. As a Hispanic female living in predominantly white neighborhoods in Florida, I have often encountered barriers rooted in prejudice and discrimination within my short lifetime. While I was not born in Puerto Rico, my ability to speak Spanish and my connection to my cultural heritage have made me a target for stereotypes and biases. If anything, being bilingual is a massive skill that can take me farther than most Americans. From subtle microaggressions to overt instances of discrimination, I have experienced moments where my identity was seen as a disadvantage rather than a strength. I encountered these in school environments and potential workplaces as well. These experiences not only highlighted the persistent inequities faced by minorities but also fueled my determination to challenge these injustices. They reinforced my belief in the importance of representation, advocacy, and equity—values that have shaped my desire to pursue a career in law and work toward a society where cultural diversity is celebrated rather than marginalized. The legacy of Jesús Pérez, who worked tirelessly to dedicate their lives to serving the Puerto Rican community, inspires me to honor their contributions through my legal career. I plan to focus on issues that disproportionately impact Puerto Ricans, such as housing discrimination, educational inequities, and the preservation of civil rights. By leveraging my legal expertise, I hope to create systemic change that uplifts our community while preserving the cultural richness that defines us. Not to mention, I aspire to serve as a mentor for young Puerto Ricans, empowering them to dream beyond societal limitations and pursue their paths to success, no matter what stands in their path. In pursuing a career in law as a lawyer, I am not just seeking personal success but aiming to carry forward the legacy of resilience and determination that defines our community. My family heritage has shaped me into someone who values justice, equity, and the power of collective action. I am committed to using these values to make a lasting impact in the legal profession and beyond. I only hope to be considered for such an honor of a scholarship to assist me in reaching my dreams and goals. Yo soy Boricua, pa’ que tu lo sepa.